How to remove Mi Browser by default on Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

Why do users want to get rid of Mi Browser and can it be done completely?

The Mi Browser is installed by default on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Despite integration with the MIUI ecosystem, many users are eager to remove it or at least replace it with Google Chrome, Firefox or Brave. The reasons are diverse: from intrusive advertising and data collection to an uncomfortable interface and slow operation.

It is important to understand that you can’t completely remove the Mi Browser without root rights – it is a system application in MIUI. However, there are legal ways to disable it as the default browser, hide it from the menu and even block its activity. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB commands and alternative solutions for different versions of the firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14 based on Android 13/14).

If you're willing to sacrifice some functionality for cleanliness, read on. We've provided simple visual instructions for beginners, and for advanced users, technical details with commands and screenshots.

Method 1: Replace the default browser through Android settings

The easiest and most secure method is to assign another browser to the default app, which won't delete Mi Browser, but stops opening links automatically.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Browser” and select Mi Browser.
• 🔗 Press "Default» → «Clear the default settings».
• 🌐 Now, when you open a link, the system will ask which app to use. Select an alternative browser (like Chrome) and mark "Always».

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 for global firmware), the default may not be available. In this case, try the method №3 or №4.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play| Backup your bookmarks from Mi Browser| Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone | Turn off the Mi Browser auto-update in Google Play

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Method 2: Disable Mi Browser through application settings

If you don’t plan on using the Mi Browser at all, you can turn it off — it hides the icon from the menu and stops background processes.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser in the list (or through search).
3. Click "Disable" → Confirm the action.
4. If the button is inactive, press “Stop” (forced stop).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Mi Browser could lead to disruptions MIUI, if the system uses it to display web content (for example, in the settings of the Xiaomi account). №4 (limitation through ADB).

Method 3: Remove Mi Browser Updates (Return to the factory version)

If the Mi Browser started to slow down after the update, you can return it to the factory version.This will not remove the browser completely, but will reset all changes and can eliminate bugs.

How to do this:

• 📦 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Mi Browser → Three points (⋮) → Remove updates.
• 🔄 Confirm the action. The browser will return to the version that was when you bought the phone.
• 🚫 To prevent automatic updates, go to Google Play → Mi Browser → Three points (⋮) → Turn off auto-update.

This method is especially useful for owners of older models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9T), where new versions of the browser work unstable. After rollback, we recommend immediately assigning another default browser (see Method 1).

Method 4: Block Mi Browser via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods failed, you can block Mi Browser using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands.This will not physically remove the application, but will make it inaccessible to the system and user.

Instructions:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on your computer and enable debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the device should appear).
3. 🚫 Run the command to disable the browser: adb shell pm hide com.android.browser or (for some versions) MIUI): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser
4. 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. Before performing commands, make sure that:

• 📋 You have a backup of the data.
• 🔋 Battery charge over 50%.
• 📡 PC connection stable (it is better to use the original cable).

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If the pm hide command doesn’t work, try first to get superuser rights through adb shell su (requires an unlocked bootloader and Magisk).

Method 5: Install custom firmware (for power users)

A radical method is to reflash the phone on custom firmware without Mi Browser, for example:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 🚀 ArrowOS – Optimized for Performance.

Advantages:

• ✅ Complete removal of all Xiaomi system applications.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" with incorrect firmware.
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on the model).

🔧 How to sew:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, LineageOS) and sew through recovery.

💡

Installing custom firmware is the only way to completely remove the Mi Browser, but requires technical skills and removes the warranty. 1-4 is enough for most users.

How to live without Mi Browser?

If you can’t remove or disable Mi Browser, consider alternative options:

• 🌐 Use a web-panel-enabled browser (like Kiwi Browser or Vivaldi) to add its widget to the home screen instead of the Mi Browser.
• 📁 Reconfigure Quick Settings: Remove the Mi Browser shortcut from the notification panel (Settings) → Notification panel → Edit).
• 🔒 Turn off ads in Mi Browser (if you decide to leave it): Browser settings → Additionally. → Advertising → Disable personalized advertising
• 🛡️ Install an ad blocker (such as AdGuard or Blokada) that will filter Mi Browser traffic.

For POCO and Redmi users with MIUI firmware for POCO, an additional way is available: switch the theme to POCO Launcher, which by default hides unnecessary system applications, including Mi Browser.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Browser removal